Loyalty, friendship, weddings and funerals are all linked with Rosemary. Greek and Roman scholars would wear garlands around their necks to improve their memory and concentration. Aphrodite, the goddess of love was linked with this highly aromatic herb and as a result brides would wear Rosemary in wreaths as a symbol of their fidelity. Almost more than any other herb, this easy to grow shrub has been associated with so many medicinal and remedial practices. It’s a universally popular plant. In ancient times Rosemary was bound to the legs of people suffering from gout in the belief that this would relieve them of the pain.
Rosemary is a woody perennial herb/shrub that is native to the Mediterranean region and as such is used to hot, dry and sunny positions. The narrow needle-like foliage is high in oil content and is well adapted to dry, arid climates. Rosemary is for beginners! It’s an easy plant to grow and will tolerate a range of inhospitable conditions and lack of care – once the plant has become established.
Select a hot, well drained, sunny spot. It needs to be in the sun during winter as well and kept dryish during this non-growing period. There are several varieties all of which benefit from pruning after flowering to maintain shape and prevent an ageing straggly look. Cuttings can be taken from semi hardwood sections during the warmer months. Take several cuttings as they will not all ‘take.’ Feed lightly in spring with an organic pelletised fertiliser. Rosemary will grow very well in a large terracotta pot – in fact it looks very handsome in such a container with the silvery grey green contrasting wonderfully well with the terracotta colours.
Rosemary can be incorporated into general garden shrubberies and not just relegated to the herb and vegetable section. The traditional Rosmarinus officinalis will make a very pleasing low informal hedge, whilst other varieties such as R. ‘Blue Lagoon’ have a lower spreading habit and are great as a ground cover. This particular variety has vibrant blue flowers. ‘Tuscan Blue’ is an upright growing variety whilst there is a very prostrate variety that can be used to hang over walls or cover up sloping banks.
Whatever variety you care to grow, you can pick sprigs to use on and in the lamb roast!
Rosemary is an easy plant to grow and every garden, patio or courtyard should have one as a form of remembrance.
Courtesy NGINA (Nursery & Garden Industry NSW & ACT)
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